Those small health troubles that you just keep hoping would magically disappear? The ones where you say to yourself, “I’ll deal with it next month.” Those problems, until they become too obvious, too annoying, too painful, or too humiliating to simply pretend don’t exist anymore.

Let’s discuss them.

Via Unsplash

The “Just Stress” Pain

Those persistent headaches each afternoon, those stiff shoulders that prevent you from sleeping well, that erratic beating of your heart that you attribute to too many cups of coffee.

While some of these symptoms may indeed result from stress or excessive tension, most of the time, persistent pain or unusual sensations are your body’s way of alerting you that something is wrong and that it is a “warning signal”.

The Skin Stuff That You Hope Nobody Notices

Bumps or flakes on your skin, or moles that look slightly abnormal. Most skin issues are easily hidden by clothes and/or makeup, which is why they tend to remain undiagnosed for such long periods of time. However, your skin is a large visual display board of your overall health.

Recurring rashes could indicate allergic reactions, autoimmune disorders, or infections. Any mole that appears to change color, size, or shape should be inspected. If a wart keeps coming back, it could indicate that the virus causing the infection was not completely killed during previous treatments and therefore requires alternative therapy.

Your Bathroom Troubles

Most of us are embarrassed to speak about our bowels or bladder, and therefore we convince ourselves that it is perfectly normal to run to the bathroom immediately after eating, straining while trying to pass stools, holding our urine all day at work, etc. We ignore blood in our stools because we assume it is due to something we ate.

Any change in bowel habits (such as diarrhea or constipation), continued straining while passing stools, or discomfort during urination should never be dismissed. 

Your Sleep Issues

Snoring that sounds like a saw cutting through wood; waking up gasping for air; feeling exhausted even after sleeping for eight hours; it is very tempting to laugh about it and continue on with life.

However, disturbed, low-quality sleep is directly related to elevated blood pressure, mood disorders, obesity, and an increased risk of chronic diseases. In addition, sleep apnea can quietly damage your health over several years. Therefore, if you wake up tired every day, it is not simply a matter of aging. You deserve quality sleep, and there are genuine remedies available.

When to Stop Denying Reality

Here is a simple rule to follow: If a symptom is new, if it is recurring, if it is worsening, or if it is disturbing to you, it deserves attention. Your body is not attempting to annoy you for no reason. It is signaling that it needs assistance through the only method it has available to it.

You do not need to freak out over every minor twinge. At the same time, you do not need to be a hero who silently endures suffering. Booking a consultation with your primary care physician or receiving diagnostic testing is not overreacting.